The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-29
THE DUMMY RAILROADS..
STRANGE AND INBXPLICABLE
OPPOSITION TO INTRODUCING
Them In Memphis-Where the En-
nifty Arises and How It Can
BE Overcome.
us SUPERIORITY OVER HORSE
CARS In EVERY PARTICULAR.
A Faithful and Conscientious Repre-.
sentative OF the Enterprise
kpsaks.

| Ohn you explain 10 me tue cause or
origin OF all this dread Of dummips by
the people along Desoto street ?" asked
Mr.. j. A. Van Hoose of an APPEAL
representative yesterday afternoon.
The two repre- sentatives Of the en-.
terprise, Mesers. Van Hoose and T. A.
Lamb, and the reporter, were on their
return from a visit to the Taxing Dis.
trict headquarters, where the City
Fathers had vainly attempted to hold
meeting. The question which begins
this article wss prompted by the pro-
test OF citizens against reducing side
wallis on that thoroughtAre to accom-
modate the company with right Of
way.
"You are too deep for me; but
while on that subject, suppose you
favor me with The reasons why you
and associates are 30 enthusiastic snd
persis ent in your efforts to establish
the dummy system OF railroads in
Memphis :" replied the scribe.
"The main reason, OF course, is to
benefit ourselves financially. We are
not philanthropists in the sense OF
giving to the people without hope OF
return. In another sense we are, for
we sfford the poor ald working pee
pie Of the city facilities for summer
amusements aud recreation, some.
thing in which Memphis ia far be-
hind any other city Of its population
in the South.
"That is a good point and worthy OF
elaboration. Let me have it."
"At Prospect Park, three miles and
half below the city, we are deter.
mined to establish a minature but ef.
fective pleasure resort The ground is
eminently suited for this purpose,
high and dry. In the midst OF the
park laid ont there will be a large lake
for fishing aud sailing purposes. A
bsihhouse, summer garden, skating
rink-ir fact, all the appurtenances to
such place--will be furnished, and
the expense to visitors is to be merely
nominal. To reach 1t only cents is
required for car fare, with like
amount for return. There Ia not an.
other railroad entering the city that
will carry you that distance for the
sum-" ...
"Do you think the prospective pat
ior age Ia sufficient fer such an extern
sive venture p
"If not, we would not undertake II.
Memphis is growing, 8 reading out east
and south. In O short time people
will demand that sort OF tTansporta.
ton to and from their bushes, Dur.
ing the heated term there are thou
aanIa NJ waAnlo--ttnAn al
who are the bone and siuew OF any
COMMUNICATIVE find II impossible
get away from home for any length OF
time. To these IL will be a boon, the
value OF which cannot bs estimated.
After their days work il finished
they can visit our resort, re-
main until 10 or IL o'clock, and
return refreshed and invigorated for
the next days struggle with business.
II will be better for them than dose
OF medicine. This Is q view OF the
case that the Houlless public seem to
have lost sight of entirely. Every
thing seems to be done solely with an
eye for No. l, and the less fortunate
toiler is ignored. Oar prime object is
to provide for them, and the benefits
to us from that source will bs sufficient |
tn make the venture. Ia the course |
Of time all will come to appreciate its |
merits, and wonder how opposition /
could ever have found Judgment in
their breasts"
"O'n you answer the question first
pronounced to mep"
"Perhaps 30. Evidently the people
bslievs the dummy to he monstros.
ily, running pell nell through the
straets, crushing to atoms men,
women and Children-a veIitAble
de aler in destruction to life and prop.
eTty. / have seen the motors and cars
In active use and know them to be as
safe, reliable and free from danger as
the sowest paced mule car. They
are running in at least thirty cities
and towns, O number OF which are in
the South. Everywhere experience
and observation have establishe
them as fsvorites."
"Wherein lies their superiority over
ordinary strest cars ?"
"The construction and working OF
both steam car and motor are cslcu-
lated to make them much safer in
operation. There are no horses in
front to impede the engineers view,
and the etsam brake Is much more eff
iective than the swindass brake o,
usually worked by one hand on a
horse car. Hence, in case Of an OBJ
on the track, the car can be
stopped very quickly. At the rate OF
speed we will maintain in the city
comparatively snail's pace-we can
bring it to a Btandstill in a space OF
two feet. Once out OF the city, and
our speed increased 10 If
tetn or twenty miles an hour,
it can be halted within six or
eight feet. Thus 1t is clear there is
absolutely no danger to life, even to
the most helpless child. In addition
to this, there is no tmoke, cinders,
and very little noise. Steam is not
visible to a sufficient extent to
brighten even the most timid animal,
aud where there Ia any indication Of
nervousness among them the motor
will always be stopped until their fears
ara allayed. l am firmly impressed,
from my knowledge OF the business,
that test would show the public how
has IL ,yaa fIa oNnoaiktou -